Cigar-making machine.



No. 660,297. Patentad Oct. 23, I900.

G. W- A. HANKEY.

GIG-AR MAKING IIAGHINIE. (lpplicstion filed June 28, 1900.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheptg-Sheai I.

m: mums wt ans (20., Pnp'rpuruoq WASHINGTON, u. c.

No. 660,297. Patented Oct. 23, I900.

G. W. A. HANKEY.

CIGAR MAKING MACHINE.

(A zqnlieatioml filed Junu 28, 1900.)

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

UN TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.GEQRGE-W. A. HANKEY, OF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA.

CIGAR-MAKING IMACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 660,297, dated October 23, 1900.

Application filed June 28, 1900. Serial No. 21,935. (No model.)

This invention relates to an improvement in cigar-making machines, more particularly to that class of machines wherein a movable table is employed, the table carrying the.

apron.

' Heretofore numerous attempts have been made to supplya satisfactory cigar-making machine with a movable table; but in such cases it has been found that it requires a considerable effort on the part of the operator in working the machine. I

The object of my invention is to provide a cigar-making machine which canbe easily operated, which will embody in its structural arrangement a minimum number of parts, and which will be inexpensive and durable.

The aim and purpose of the invention may be briefly stated as being the provision of a cigar-making machine wherein the bunch may be placed in the proper position in relation to the apron and the parts sopositioned and constructed as upon slight movement the table may be carried backward, applying the wrapper in its movement and properly rolling the cigar, cheroot, or stogy; further, to provide suitable means whereby the end or ends of the article can be. severed for finishing purposes and so upon the final movement of the table or rolling mechanism, a cuttingoff mechanism which may be adjusted to varying lengths of cigars, cheroots, or stogies, and a cutting-0d mechanism provided with means for discharging the article when cut,improved means for actuating the table, and special details of construction presently to be referred to.

In the drawings is shown an embodiment of the invention in a form which is designed to operate satisfactorily; but it is to be understood that various alterations, changes,

pressions c c at its opposite ends.

and modifications can be made without departing from the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section showing the table in its forward position. Fig. 3 is a top plan View. Fig. 4 is a bottomplan view.

In the drawings, A represents the bench or supporting-frame, and Brepresents the baseframe of the machine proper, resting on the top of the bench. The base-frame B is conveniently composed of two members I) 1), ar-

ranged parallel With each other and constituting tracks or ways on which the carriage or table (presently to be described) moves. These members I) and b are rigidly connected on their upper faces by cross-pieces b and 17 as shown in Fig. 1, forpurposes presently to v be stated.

0 represents the movable table or carriage, having, as is usual, the bunch-receiving de- This table'isof a width to move freely between the holding-strips B B and is placed therebetween, its upper face being above the plane of the holding-strips. The table is'mounted on suitable rolls'O, which are conveniently of metal and of considerable width. The car'- rying-rolls are loosely mounted on axles O shouldered at or near their outer ends, as at 0 forming reduced end portions 0 on which portions the rolls are loosely mounted. The ends of the axles are projected through suitable bearing-plates 0 secured to the sides of the table or carrier and projecting below the 5 same. The ends'of the axles are preferably of a length to extend beyond the bearings O and into the space between the holding-strips and base-bars b b. The axles are loosely mounted in the bearings, so that an independent {urning movement may be had, and

the rollers are loosely mounted on the reduced portions of the axles, being held in their proper position on the axles by the bearings and shoulders on the axles, the rollers being located between the two. By this construction it will be observed that the table, being held in its proper position against lateral movement by the holding-strips B B is mounted in a manner to require very little force in moving it backward and forward, and owing to the projecting ends of the axles should the table be tilted or moved upward at either end the projecting ends of the axles coming in contact with the under faces of the holding-bars, the axles beingloose, will turn, and thereby greatly reduce the friction which would otherwise occur. The moving of the table backward and forward is limited by the connecting-bars b 19 and so by the same acting as buffers against which the rollers strike. The frame, consisting of the base-bars, holding-strips, and cross-bars, thus constitutes a cage or holder for the table, limiting it in its movement and preventing its displacement. It is desirable, however, that the holdingstrips may be so secured that they can be removed when desired. For this purpose suitable screws or bolts may be employed for se curing them in position.

G designates antifriction-rods mounted on the carriage and engaging the sides of strips B and B E designates antifriction-rolls mounted on the carriage and engaging the sides of strips B and B D designates the apron, secured on a tensioning roller or spindle d, located at one end of the carrier or table, the spindle being sup ported in suitable brackets d and provided at its outer ends with toothed wheels (K the teeth of which are engaged by apawl D', pivoted on a pin d, secured to the table or carrier. The pawl is formed on a lever, one arm carrying the engaging tooth, while the opposite arm is extended forward beyond the pivot andis formed with a perforated flange d through which the spring D passes, the latter being fixedly secured to the side of the carriage. The forward end of the carriage has secured thereon a metallic frame E, arranged substantially horizontal and formed with an elongated slot 6 therein. This frame is carried by two depending arms or brackets E, having offset portions at thelower ends, which are screwed in or otherwise securely fastened to the under side of the forward end of the carriage. On the rear face of the arms is a plate Eihavin g rearwardly-proj ectin g flanges at its upperand lower edges. With this plate a movable plate E is associated, the same being secured in position by bolts 6 passing through the flange-plate. The plate E is narrower than the companion plate and is designed to fit between the flanges. The forward edge of the apron is passed between the two plates; (which I shall term clampingplates,) and when the plates are drawn together the edge of the apron is securely clamped between the plates and the flanges of the plate E binding the apron above and below on the plate E thus forming a very secure fastener for the end of the apron.

F designates the roller, carried by suitable curved arms F, pivoted at their rear ends on standards F which are secured to the basepieces. The curved arms F have depending fingers f, fitting between transverse lugs F on the standards, the fingers projecting below the pivotal point on the curved arms.

F designates set-screws which pass through the ears on the standards in opposite directions and arranged to engage on opposite sides of the depending fingers. By this means the roller carried by the curved arms may be raised or lowered by loosening the set-screws at one side and forcing the other ones in, so as to tip'the roller-carrying ends of the arms F down or up. 'This form of adjustment I have found to be very convenient and satisfactory.

The machine so far described is intended for use in making cigars, stogies, or cheroots, and as suchit is desirable to have convenient means for cutting the end or ends of the articles off. In the drawings I have shown a cutter mechanism designed to out both ends, as is necessary in the manufacture of cheroots. A cutting-off mechanism for this purpose I have shown in the accompanying drawings, and it consists, primarily, in a mechanism which is operated upon the movement of the carriage. Mounted on the plate E are two receivers G G. These receivers are in the form of arms having their outer or for- Ward ends arranged forwardly beyond the carriage and formed with pockets g of a size to receive the article. These receivers have securing rear ends g, formed with transverse flanges g and shoulders 9 the flanges fitting in the longitudinal groove of the plate E, while the shoulder is arranged to rest against the forward edge of the plate.

G designates bolts having suitable nuts, the bolt-s passing through the securing portion of the receivers and through the slot of the plate E, the heads of the bolts spanning the slot below. By this means the receivers may be firmly secured in place on the plate, and owing to the construction, including the plate with the elongated slot, the receivers may be adjusted transversely toward or from each other. Each receiver is provided with an ejector H, consisting of a finger having a curved upper end and a Weighted portion 71. below the finger. The ejectors are pivoted to the under or supporting portion of the receiver at the forward end and are so arranged that upon the forward movement of the ejecting-arm the article is forced out of the re ceiver, as shown in Fig. 2. To limit the backward or downward movement of the ejectingarm, suitable pins 77. are secured to the receiving-arms back of the ejecting-arms. The weighted arms h are curved rearwardly for the purposes presently to be stated. Secured on the upper faces of the bars I) b, in advance of the carriage-retaining frame, is a metal frame K, consisting,conveniently, of an oblong bar having an elongated slot is therein. The bar is provided with suitable feet k,

which project below the same and are secured to the base-pieces.

L and L designate two vertical standards secured to the bar K by suitable bolts passing through flanges on the ends of the standards and through the slotin the barK, whereby the standards may be adjusted toward and from each other. The upper ends of the standards are formed with rearwardlyextending portions Z, which carry cutting-blades M, the cutting edges of which are arranged at an incline or obliquely and when in proper position of adjustment are in close proximity to the plane of the outer faces of the receivers, so that as the receiver is advanced with its load the ends of the cigar will be cut by athe cigar are brought into contact with the knives and severed, and upon the final movement of the table the parts it of the ejectors coming in contact with the pins Z are thereby forced upward, throwing the ejecting-fingers forward and ejecting the finished article, the same being received in any suitable receptacle. The construction of the cutting-oft mechanism, as above described, is convenient in that the operator has only to reach substantially from one end of the table to the other to place the finished cigar in position for cutting. Upon themovement of the table forward to receive a new bunch the cigar is cut and ejected. This particular arrange- ,ment I have found to be very satisfactory and successful; but it is apparent that the general principle may becarried out by other means. The essential feature of this part of the invention consists in utilizing the necessary forward movement of the table for cutting the cigar, cheroot, or stogy. It is to be understood that when a cigar or stogy is to be made on the machine but one knife need be employed.

To actuate the table or carrier, I secure to the under side of the bench two depending brackets N, carrying the shaft N at the lower end. To this shaft is secured a treadle-lever 0, having a treadle 0 on its lower end, the

upper end of the lever projecting in a straight course above the shaft and is connected by a link P, which in turn is pivotally connected to the under side of the carrier or table. I have found it desirable to form a treadle mechanism which will require but'an outward movement of the foot and which will treadle-lever.

tomatically forward to effect the out and to place the earriagein position for subsequent rolling, the rapidity of the movement being governed by the position of the weight on the arm Q. Such treadle mechanism Ihave found to be very convenient, as it permits of a natural movement of the operators foot and limb in operating the machine, which movement is outward from the operator.

In connection with the belt-tensioning device it is apparent that the same can be placed on the opposite side of the machine, if desired, and any well-known means can be used to secure the apron in place.

I desire it understood that in connection with the term cigar, where it is used separately, I intend it to mean not only a cigar proper, but also a cheroot or stogy.

When a cigar or pointed-end stogy is to be rolled, the shape of the rolling parts, such as having parallel separated strips forming tracks, bearings on said carriage, shafts loose in said bearings, rollers on said shafts and rolling on said tracks, said shafts extending beyond said rollers, and retaining-strips parallel with and above said tracks, with which retaining-strips the ends of said shafts extending beyond said rollers are adapted to engage in case of the tilting of the'carriage, substantially as described.

2. In a cigarmachine, the combination with a carriage, of a support for the carriage having parallel separated strips forming tracks, bearings on said carriage, shafts loose in said bearings, rollers on said shafts and rolling on said tracks, said shafts extending beyond said rollers, retaining-strips narrower than parallel with and above said tracks,with which retaining-strips the ends of said shafts extending beyond said rollers are adapted to engage in case of the tilting of the carriage, and antifriction-rollers on the carriage engaging said retaining-strips, substantially as described.

3. In a cigar-machine, the combination with a carriage, of standards at the sides thereof, curved arms pivoted to said standards, a bunching-roller journaled in the free ends of said arms, each arm having alateral lug extending between lugs formed on the said standards, and adjusting-screws wor ing in said lugs on the standards and engaging said lateral lugs on the arms, substarh tiaily as described 4. In a cigar-machine, the combination with a movable rolling-carriage, of a cuttingofi mechanism comprising a movable and a stationary member, the movable member being carried by said movable rolling-carriage, substantially as described. A

5. In a cigarmachine, the combination with a cigar-rolling means, of a cuttingoff mechanism comprising knives, a receiver carried by said rolling means and means for causing the receiver to approach the knives upon the movement of the rolling means, subtstantially as described.

6. In a cigar-machine, the combination with a reciprocatingcarriage, of a receiver carried thereby, and stationary knives arranged to coact with the receiver for severing the end of the cigar, substantially as described.

7. In a cigarmachine, the combination with a rolling-carriage and its apron, of an adjustable receiver carried thereby and a stationary knife arranged in position to engage the protruding end of the cigar into the receiver as the carriage is advanced, substantially as described.

8. In a cigarmachine, the combination witha reciprocating rolling member, of a cutting-off mechanism comprising two members, a receiver and a knife, one of which is carried by the rolling device and means for ejecting the cigar from the receiver upon the completion of the cut, substantially as described.

9. In a cigar-bunching machine, the combination with a reciprocating carrier or table, of arms carried by the same having receivin g-depressions therein, pivoted ejectors, a knife stationarily supported, and means for actuating the ejectors upon the final movement of the carriage, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a bunch-rolling carriage, of a plate carried thereby, arms adjustably secured to the plate having receiving-depressions, a standard in advance of the carriage, a knife carried by the standard, means for adjusting the standard and means for ejecting the cigar, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE W. A. IIANKEY.

Witnesses:

CHARLES JAMES, H. O. ULMER. 

